Lifting-grapple



A. AWISCHUS.

' LIFTING GRAPPLE.

APPLICATION FILED AUG 1, 1919.

Patented Aug. 17, 1920.

|NVENTOR Huge/s7 Hw/sc/vus "BY g i Q 1 ATTORNEY UNITED STATES AUGUST AWISCHUS, OF FILLIEY, NEBRASKA.

LIFTING-GRAPPLE.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Aug. 17, 1920.

Application filed August 1, 1919. Serial No. 314,607.

To all whom it may concern Be it known that I, AUeUsT AwIsoHUs, a citizen of Germany, residing at Filley, county of Gage, and State of Nebraska, have invented certain new and useful Improve ments in Lifting-Grapples, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to forked crabs such are used for lifting and conveying various substances, such as manure, etc.

The present invention has for an object to provide a new and easily operated type of forked crab permitting locking and unlocking of the gripping fingers from a distance.

For further comprehension of the invention, and of the objects and advantages thereof, reference will be had to the following description and accompanying drawings, and to the appended claims in which the various novel features of the invention are more particularly set forth.

Figure 1 is a perspective view of a forked crab constructed according to my invention.

F ig; 2 is a transverse sectional view, this view being taken on the line 2-2 of Fig. 3.

Fig. 3 is a face View thereof.

As here shown my improved crab fork comprises two sets of curved fingers, numbered '1 and 2 respectively, which pivot at their upper ends on a common rod 3, the different fingers of the two sets being braced and held together by the rigid bars 4 and 5.

The rod 3 passes freely through a suitable perforated block 7 in which is fixed the lower end of a rope 8 whereby the device may be suspended from a crane or the like, the block being localized on the rod by the inner ones of the fingers of the fork.

These inner fingers have integral extensions 1 and 2 which curve upwardly away from one another from the pivot axis formed by the rod 3 and form operating handles for the fingers; A pin 7 rigidly unites the ends of the extensions 1 and a pin 8 rigidly unites the ends of the extensions 2' these pins each having a projecting end as shown.

A pair of pulleys 10 and 11 are loosely mounted on the pins 7 and 8 and a rope 12 is secured at one end to one of the pins; as here shown, the pin 8,-and passes downwardly around the pulley 10 on pin 7 and upwardly around the pulley 11 on pin 8, the opposite end of the rope being adapted to'be connected to a second operating device on the crane. It will be apparent that when the rope 12 is pulled the extensions 1 and 2 will be caused to close in toward one an other, causing the fingers 1 and 2 also to close in toward one another.

Pivoted at one end on the pin 7 is a toothed, or ratchet, bar 15 the teeth of which are adapted to take over the pin 8 and so look the fingers against opening movement. This ratchet bar 15 may have a rope 16 hanging from the free end thereof for convenience in manipulation.

Pivoted on the rod 3 is an arm 18 which is adapted to bear on the pin 8 and move the latter away from engagement with the teeth of the bar 15 and so release the fingers. This arm 18 may have a rope 2O fastened thereto for convenience in manipulation.

In operation the crab will be moved to the desired point and the fingers separated by hand. The rope 12 is then pulled to close the fingers over the object and the rope 16 pulled to cause the teeth of bar 15 to engage pin 8. When the fingers are to be released, after the material held by the crab has been moved to the desired place, the rope 20 is pulled to cause the arm 18 to bear on pin 8.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is:

1. A device of the class described, comprising a plurality of pairs of curved fingers, a common rod on which said fingers are pivoted, extensions on one of said pairs of fingers forming operating handles, a block through which said rod passes, a rope from which said block is suspended, a second rope looped around said handles for drawing the said fingers together, an extension formed on another of said fingers, a locking arm pivoted to such extension, and an element carried by one of the first mentioned extensions adapted to be engaged by said arm to lock the said fingers.

2. A device of the class described. comprising a pair of curved fingers pivoted on a common axis and provided with ope ating handles, means connected to said handles whereby said fingers may be closed and locked, and means for releasing the locking means, said locking means comprising a toothed bar pivoted on one handle and adapted to engage a part on the other handle, and said releasing means comprising an arm pivoted coaxially with the said fingers and adapted to engage the said part on the handle.

3. A. device of the class described, comprising a pair of curved fingers pivoted 011 a common axis and provided with operating handles, means for suspending the device from a desired point, a pair of pulleys mounted on the respective handles, a rope looped around sad pulleys whereby they may be drawn together, a toothed bar pivoted on one handle and adapted to engage the other handle, and an arm pivoted coaxially with said handles and adapted to engage and release the said toothed bar.

at. A device of the class described, comprising a pair of curved fingers pivoted on a common axis and provided with operating handles, means for suspending the device from a desired point, a pair of pulleys mounted on the respective handles, a rope looped around said pulleys whereby they may be drawn together, a toothed bar pivoted on one handle and adapted the other handle, and an arm pivoted coaxially with said handles and adapted to ongage and release thesaid toothed bar, and means for operating said-bar and arm from a distance.

In testimony whereof I have a'llixed my signature.

AUGUST AlJISCHUS.

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